Early Intermediate Solo Sheets


Buffoons

This is a great piece for the boys in the studio. In C major, march-like in character and lots of accidentals to be aware of. It's a "big-sounding" piece with a sure to please ending.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

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Busybody

This upbeat solo has it a lively tempo, different articulations, block chords, lots of accidentals, quick changes in dynamics, blocked and broken chords – all in the key of A major! It is an excellent technical workout in 4/4 meter as well as really fun piece to play. The title says it all – students' hands and minds will be very busy.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

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Close Caper!

In cut time, this solo will inspire the student to use their creative imagery as the "pursuit" unfolds throughout this robust and energetic piece. The key is d minor, with lots of opportunities for crossing hands. Repeated patterns makes this one easy to memorize and quick to learn.

Also included in "The Best of Dennis Alexander, Bk. 2"

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Glacier Majesty

A real student favorite, this solo "plays easy, sounds hard". Lyrical for the most part, it has a dramatic "ta-da" introduction and ending with a melodic line that shifts from the lower register over the RH to a higher register. The RH accompaniment pattern stays in the middle range throughout the piece. A very effective recital piece!

Also included in "The Best of Dennis Alexander, Bk. 2"

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

March of the Great Pumpkins

A "stately" halloween piece in D-minor. Starts off with both hands in bass clef and soon moves all over the keyboard. Lots of open 5ths in both hands, along with sudden dynamic changes.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Screamin' Cat Boogie!

A fun "boogie" solo that works well for a recital or performance in addition to being a great Halloween piece in D-minor, constant moving 8th notes, and fun syncopation

Also included in "Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Bk. 2"

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Soto

Soto is a popular Malaysian hot, spicy soup, and this solo was written shortly after returning from a tour to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Lots of playful harmonic 4ths and 5ths throughout this solo.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Toccata Vivo

Another real student favorite! There is excitement throughout this showy toccata in C major, with staccatos and accents, back and forth "chatter" between left and right hands, contrasts in dynamics, and a nice coverage of the keyboard. Excellent recital or festival piece.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Trees Whisper

Tender, lyrical piece with some beautiful "rolling chord" patterns alternating between hands, legato pedaling.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

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Valse Romantique

A student favorite, this romantic solo works beautifully for adult students as well as children. It's sophisticated sounding, lyrical, with beautiful and unexpected harmonic changes.

Also included in "Dennis Alexander's Favorite Solos, Bk. 2"

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Always You - Level 3 (Early Intermediate)

Tender and romantic, this is the perfect piece for a student who enjoys lyrical sounds and nice harmonies!

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

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Bridge Over Nishigawa - Level 3 (Early Intermediate)

Students will be intrigued by this Oriental sounding solo at the intermediate level. Parallel 4ths and 5ths give added color to this charming work and the RH will have lots of opportunities to pass the 2nd and 3rd fingers over the thumb which will be very useful in developing flexibility and control of scale passage work. This would also be a perfect piece for teaching students the importance of blocking out broken chord patterns.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Bourrée in D Minor

An excellent teaching piece in the Baroque style with lots of articulation between the hands and terraced dynamics. Students will benefit from doing pieces like this before they try any of the inventions.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Poco Locomotion

Written for a former student who loved to play fast, this is an exciting solo with lots of alternating hands, rapid 8th notes, and a sparkling ending! Great recital piece.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Valse triste

Exploring the romantic style will be easy with this E minor solo in 3/4 meter. In A-B form, the left hand employs a simple broken-chord style accompaniment in the A section with the melody in the right hand. The B section features a left-hand melody with right-hand broken one-octave arpeggios. Balance between the hands and shaping the melody are two skills that can be honed in this lyrical solo.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Staccato Strut

Staccatos, diatonic triads, and chromaticism lend a contemporary feel to this solo. The allegro tempo marking and 4/4 meter give it the feeling of a quick march. Careful attention to the articulations and voicing of the melody (in both the right and left hands) will guarantee a satisfying musical performance.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Daybreak

Few things inspire us as much as the moment the sun first appears over the horizon, casting a new day with a glorious light. Daybreak depicts that moment in a wonderfully simple, yet powerful way. Early-intermediate students will enjoy their experience crafting a beautiful melody with the use of creative dynamics, pedaling, and appealing accidentals. Enjoy basking in the warmth of this lovely piece.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now

 
 

Brandon's Boogie

This early intermediate piece in C major contains abundant accidentals and mixed articulations. A prominent boogie bass, rapid position shifts, and hand crossings create a flashy piece that is exciting to play. It lies very well in the hands----written for Brandon Jake Gordon, grandson of Ingrid Clarfield.

To hear Dennis Alexander perform this piece, CLICK on the MP3 icon to the RIGHT.

This sheet music can be purchased from your favorite music dealer or: Order Now